The importance of the
words of Christ as found in the Bible to the full content of Christian belief is
in focus, today, along with more on the faith of ones parents. A “Yahoo!
Answers” writer using the ID “i don’t know” (a Top Contributor on Level 4 with
2,737 points, a member since July 17, 2012) posted the
following:
If you only had Jesus' words without the
rest of the bible, would you still be a Christian?
What if we only had his words and none of the
gospels or other books? What would Christianity be like?
THE BATTLE AXE: The Faith of
Ones Parents? (11/18/2012)—In every generation there are young people who
condemn and dismiss the beliefs of their parents as harsh, primitive, outdated,
superstitious, and unscientific. While they appear to compete at finding a
clever atheistic put-down for their caretakers, the challenge that, in fact,
produces genuine maturity is that children come to know and understand as well,
or more completely and correctly than their parents. This is made difficult,
because miscommunication, adult and child self-importance, and warped parental
pride result in parents refusing all correction and instruction from their
children, and all others—even officers within the church and worship assembly.
At home, every effort by their children to learn or share what GOD has bestowed
upon themselves is condemned by their parents as being only “back-talk,”
disrespect, rebellion, rejection and “sass.” Often, parents loudly profess to
have faith, and when asked to explain or provide a detailed understanding, they
cover their faith with a cloak of silence, or they posture as though betrayed,
deeply hurt and unjustly offended. In such moments, family, the church, and
even GOD may be accused as those who mock and scorn an innocent victim in
distress. Rightly understood, correct knowledge of sacred process, divine
purpose, and godly truth is delivered only through operation of the Holy
Spirit. All should rejoice as faith, holy wisdom, hope, meekness and love are
shown to be present, the evidence of things unseen. Focus is upon the message
from GOD and his Christ, and there ought be no quarrel against the messenger.
In time, even a minor child comes to understand that.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And he
said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was
yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law
of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning
me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the
scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ
to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the
promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye
be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24: 44-49, King James
Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Caesarea
Philippi (10/22/2012); (10/23/2012); Contradictions? (09/21/2012); The Spirit by
Measure (09/22/2012); Girdle 46: That Ye Be Likeminded (01/02/2012); Why
“Mysterious” (11/11/2012); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); Childlike Faith
(10/18/2012); The Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Unwelcome Gifts?
(09/17/2012)
During my middle school years, I believed
everyone could have all the knowledge necessary from the Holy Bible by reading
only “the red part.” In my understanding, then, the “red-letter edition”
presented every word spoken by Jesus Christ, and, therefore, was more authentic
as a presentation of divine truth since the quotations were all from the
begotten son of GOD. At first, I thought the black letters introducing and
following the words of Jesus could be ignored and skipped. I assumed, like many
adults were doing, that anything I could not understand immediately was
insignificant, and would add no weight. It was only a few short months before I
realized that, when reading and studying the holy writings, the context is
essential to clarity and full comprehension. It was many years before I learned
to place correct value upon the Scriptures as holy utterance, and a mechanism
that conveys spirit content and divinity.
While the Bible was venerated in our home as
more than a mere book, we were guilty of the widespread sin of “bible-olatry”
that also occurred in the homes of our neighbors. The Bible would sit in an
honored place on the coffee table, on a mantle or shelf, and no one was allowed
to touch it (except for regular furniture dusting and polishing), or read it
(except on very, very special occasions). Children were told, you are not grown
up enough to read the Bible, the Bible is too hard to understand, the Bible is
confusing even to educated people, and too much of the Bible drives men mad.
Where, the holy book is treated with superstition, and as untouchable the Bible
is no less than an idol, a household god, and a teraphim.
My discovery of the Book of Acts, became my
re-education to grasp the full meaning of Creation, divine person, salvation,
and the perfecting of the church as a spiritual body and unique “spirit
person.” Through Acts and the epistles, believers experience a personal growth
that prepares one for spirit baptism, explanations of practices and standards
within their own worship congregation, and vital truths that open understanding
of prophecy. The unity of Scripture became blazingly clear, as all the prophets
from Moses through Malachi, John the Baptist and John the Revelator were shown
to speak from a single spirit, the very one Jesus spoke of called “the
Comforter,” “the Spirit of Truth” and the “Spirit of Prophecy.” Instead of
continuing as obstacles and stumbling blocks, such prophetic books as Daniel,
Ezekiel, Psalms, and Revelation became further platforms for growth of the
divine spirit that had been deposited to reside within me.
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the Bible documents the
priesthood given to Adam from heaven as an inheritance to mankind. Reading
both the Old and New Testament are necessary to comprehend the full revelation
without confusion regarding the place of judges, kings, patriarchs and
prophets. The priest is authorized to make offerings and blood sacrifices for
atonement, cleansing, and sanctification. As the Son of Man and Son of the
Highest, Jesus Christ inherits and fulfills both the divine priesthood of earth
as well as that in heaven.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be
it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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